Long filler cigar tobacco feed



Nov. 22, 1955 J. A. NEUMAIR ET A1.

LONG FILLER CIGAR TOBACCO FEED Filed Maren 2, 195o 8 Sheets-Sheet l WNW www @bw/ www Nov. 22, 1955 J. A. NEUMAIR ETAL `LONG FILLER CIGAR TOBACCO FEED 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 2, 1950 lNvEN-roR JOSEPH A. NEUMAIR SIGURD CLAUSEN BY n n j ATTORNEY Nov. 22, 1955 J. A. NEUMAIR ET AL LONG FILLER CIGAR TOBACCO FEED 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 2, 1950 NNN www NWN QNN wwwa lNvl-:NToR JOSEPH A. NEUMAIR SIGURD CLAUSEIN ATTORNEY @ww ma ,sw www, @Q1 www NQ www www NQ A N@ www www NN@ NQ bN wh ..\oo nooo ,iw MS,

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Nov. 2'2, 1955 J. Ay NEUMAIR ET A1. 2,724,389

LONG FILLER CIGAR TOBACCO FEED Filed March 2, 1950 8 Sheets-.sheet 4 INVENTOR JOSEPH A. NEUMAIR Y'SIGURD CLAUEN TTORNEY Nov. 22, 1955 J. A. NEUMAIR ETAL 2,724,389

LONG FILLER OIGAR TOBACCO FEED Filed March 2, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 29@ 90 F G 4 O4 294/ Nov. 22, 1955 .1. A, NEUMAIR r-:TAL

LONG FILLER CIGAR TOBACCO FEED 8 Sheets-Sheet 6l Filed March 2, 1950 www www www w, www il RN NGN @m 1 f RWM* l u U Y l www www m www www Sow www w A.D m www MNR T www Sw www Ew A @ww sI www www mw www w www www www www WNW www www www w @w www www www www www RN Now www www Nov. 22, 1955 J. A. NEUMAIR ErAL 2,724,389

LONG FILLER CIGAR TOBACCO FEED Filed March 2, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Nov. 22, 1955 Filed March 2, 1950 FIG.7

J. A. NEUMAIR ET AL 2,724,389

LONG FILLER OIOAR TOBACCO FEED 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 lNVENTO Rij/0 JOSEPH A.NEUMA|R BYSIGURO OLAUSEN ATTORNEY 2,724,389 Patented Nov. Z2, 1955 LONG FILLER CIGAR TOBACCO FEED Joseph A. N eumair, Hollis, and Sigurd Clausen, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignors to International Cigar Machinery Co., a corporation of New Jersey Application March 2, 1950, Serial N o. 147,178

11 Claims. (Cl. 131-21) This invention relates3to long `filler cigar tobacco feed- `ing machines. p y

One of the principal Objects `is to form thin bunch charges of long ller tobacco that may `readily be rolled into a Spanish bunch.

Another object is to obtain uniform density in a charge by sidewise compression.

Still another object is to ensure whole leaf portions in a formed bunch. Heretofore, thin chargeshave been formed bysevering the charge with a horizontal knife from a vertical column of charge lengths. `In forming such column,.the laminae or leaves cannot in practice be arranged completely parallel, but, on the contrary, are

slightly crimped or curved. Therefore, whenthe horizontal knife severs the thin charge several leaves are cut transversely in whole` or in part. This results in more cutting than desirable in some high priced long ller cigars.

The elimination of the horizontal cutting heretofore employed has been accomplished `by the novel sidewise compacting of bunch length charges formed by transverse severance from a thin stream of tobacco leaves. By integrating these bunch length charges sidewise `so that the leaves of one interlock with the leaves of another, a second stream of tobacco leaf portions is formed. This second stream of tobacco has the width of a bunch length.` It is formed beneath a stationary guide that controls its thickness, while the mode of compacting provides uniform density. The tinal charge width is then measured and a bunch charge severed (transversely) from the stream. By this method the occurrence of short pieces of filler tobacco is greatly reduced.

A further object of the invention is to serrate irregularly the edges of the charge so that on rolling into a bunch the final lap of the roll blends with the contour of the rolled bunch. When charges having `square cut edges are rolled into the Spanish bunch a resultant longitudinal step appears on the periphery of the formed bunches. This step shows through the binder and wrapper of the cigar and detracts from its appearance. There is also a tendency for the cigar to burn more rapidly due tothe funnelformed as the binder and wrapper bridge the step By improvements in our invention we have secured a more desirable type of bunch by ripping, rather than cutting, the bunch charge. Furthermore, a more accurate means of measuring the width of the charge has been devised.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the ensuing description.

In the accompanying drawings: t p,

Figs. l and la when joined on line A-A illustrates a side elevation of an improved long ller cigar tobacco feeding mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same; Fig. 3 is an end elevation taken on` line 3-3 of Fig. la illustrating the driving mechanism `for the machine;

Fig. 4 is a sectional end elevation taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1 with parts broken away illustrating the tobacco clamping and measuring devices and their associated mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a plan view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4 illustrating the mechanism that controls the width of a bunch charge of tobacco;

Fig. 6 is a sectional side elevation with parts broken away showing the end of the cross-feed and the control illustrated in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a partial end elevation taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 6, illustrating the driving mechanism for the cross feed;

Figs. 8, 9, 10, l1 and l2 illustrate in sequence how the` tobacco, after being severed from the stream of tobacco in the cross feed channel, is forwarded to a station where desired widths of charges are ripped oif and then transferred to a conventional type rolling table;

Fig. 13 is an end elevation, partly in section, taken on line 13-13 of Fig. ll;

Fig. 14 is a sectional side elevation taken on line 14-14 of Fig. 7 illustrating part of the control mechanisrn for the cross feed.

Referring to Fig. 2, the tobacco is placed by an operator in the cross feed channel C. Said cross feed channel C consists of a bottom belt 20 and two side belts 22 arranged `to form a U-shaped channel. Belt 20 is driven by a drum24 while the side belts 22 are driven by pulleys 26. Drum 24 has mounted on its hubs, bevel gears whichmesh with similar beveled gears on the hubs of pulleys 26. Therefore, as drum 24 is intermittently driven so are pulleys` 26, so that the three belts 20 and 22 move simultaneously `to feed a predetermined length of the stream of tobacco T corresponding to the bunch length desired onto a platform 28 (Fig. 7).. A compressor foot 30 (Fig. 2) descends on said stream T to hold it while a corrugated cutter 32 (Fig. 7) descends to sever said predetermined lengths from the stream of tobacco T. This compressor foot 30 is activated by a toggle consisting of the links 34 and 36 (Fig. l) pivotally connected to arm 38. t

The other end of link 34 is freely supported in a` housing 40, while the other end of link 36 `is pivotally secured to` a clamp 37 attached to a shaft 39 mounted in a suitable bearing in housing 40. The compressor foot 30 is secured to the opposite end of this shaft 39 (Fig. 2). One end of the arm 38 is loosely supported in housing 40 while the other end is pivoted to a connecting rod 42, which in turn is pivoted to end of a bell crank 44 carrying at its other end cam roller 46 engaging track 48 of a cam S0, which is secured to the continuously driven shaft 52 to which is secured a gear 56 driven by some suitable means not shown. The corrugated cutter 32 is also activated by the movement of arm 38 which is pivotally connected to a slide 60 by a link 58 (Fig. 1).

The cutter 32 is mounted inthe end of said slide 60 which is freely supported in a dovetail channel of housing 40. A more detailed description of said cutter 32, said compressor foot 30 and said channel C is shown in patent No. 2,470,766 to J. P. Durning dated May 24, 1949.

The platform 28, with the severed length of tobacco T thereon, is now lowered in the direction illustrated by the arrows in Figs. 6 and 7. A plurality of lingers 72 is provided to hold the tobacco securely on said platform 28. These fingers are mounted in a shaft 76 which is freely supported in L-shaped member 78 (Fig. 6). To one end of said shaft 76 is secured an arm 80which carries a roller 82. Said arm is activated by tension spring 74 whose other end is secured to a suitable mounting piece 84. As seen in Fig. 6, the pull of said spring 74 presses the fingers 72 against the severed length of tobacco T'.

A mounting block 62 secured toY slide- 604 carries the roller 64 which, as shown in Fig. 6, is in contact with the upper face of a cam piece 66 pivotally mounted on stud 68 of housing 40. As the` slide 60 moves dov/'nl wardly, roller 64 moves out of contact with si'd cam piece and allows roller' 82 under the tensionof spring 7-4 to push thev cam piece aside so that fingers 72 will clamp the severed tobacco T', as shown in Fig'. 8'.

L-shaped member 78 is secured to' mounting piece' 84 to which is also secured platform 28rby means of T-shaped member 86. Mounting piece S4 is secured to vertical reciprocative shaft 88 which is loosely supported in suitable bearing brackets' fastened to housing 40.

Hence, after the tobacco T has been severed by the corrugated cutter,jthe' platform: 28', with the tobacco T held thereony by lingers 72, descends to feed belt 116.

This descent is' `controlledby the action of cam track 90 on roller 92 of bell crank lever 9 4, to which is attached connecting rodk A96. Thevv other` end of connecting rod 96 pivotally engages an arml 98 secured toa shaft 100 freely mounted in housing 40 (Fig. l). To the other end of Vthis shaft 100 is secured another arm 102 the free end of which is pivotally connected by link 104 to an arm 106 secured to a shaft 108' loosely mounted in housing 40. On the' other end of s'aid shaft 108 a' yoked arm 110 carries two' rollers" 112 engaging a' groove of the collar 114 which is rotatably mounted on shaft 88. When shaft reaches its downmost position, platform 28' will rest on a feed belt 116"(Figs. 1 and 8). A pair of pusher arms or fingers 118 forwards the severed tobacco sidewise ortor beltv 116 and beneath guide fingers 138, thereby compacting tobacco bunch length T edgewise with the previous charge. The' pusher arms 118 are L-shaped and the short leg of each L-shaped arm (Figs. 2V and 9) is provided with short narrow upwardly extending ngers 142, These fingers are so' positioned as to pass beneath' and between fingers 72 and 138 during forward motion of the arms. If the charge T lacks desired density the action of feed belt 116 (now moving) compacts the tobacco beneath said guide fingers 138. Pusher arms 118 are operated in the following manner: A tension spring 143 moves them forward (Figs. l, l, 2 and 3) as the cam 144, secured to shaft 52, rotates. ri open cani track 146 of said cam is engaged by roller 148V of bell crank lever `150 to which is operatively pivo't'd connecting rod 152. The other end of connecting rod 152 is' freely supported yon a shaft 154 (Figs. l, 2 and 14) rsecureduiu a Imember 156 which is pivotally mounted ed e Sfhaff'lss held in bracket 1,26.`

Spring 143 is fastened at one end to shaft 154 and at the other end to a shaft 145l (Figs. la and 3)l in brackets 47; v pairY of arms 160 (Figs. 1 and 2) Vare also pivotally attached, near their mid-point, to member 156 by st uds 162 held in member 156. One end of these arms 160 is freely supported by a shaft 164 (Fig. 2), whieh is' heldby the pusher armsy 11S. The other ends of arms 160 are pivotally connected to `an H-shaped member 166 (Figs. l, 2 and 3) by a shaft 168 secured in said member; Theother end ofthe latter is loosely mounted on shaft1'70 (Figs. la and 3), held in brackfitsy 47. The linkage just described imparts straight line motion te' the eusier' :irme 11s.

With reference to Figs. 8 and 9, it will be noticed v v that; as pusher arms 118 push the tobacco off the platformv 28 and onto the belt 116, the pusher arms slide downan inclined end 'of both the platform and the guide rails 136 and continue sliding along the top of said belt while they push the tobacco underneath guide fingers 138; Just before'the tobacco moves onto the belt, the belt is started in motion from the main drive shaft S2 to which is secured a sprocket 172 (Figs. la and 3) tracking a chain 174 which drives a sprocket 176 Figs. 1, 5v and 7) which is secured' to a shaft 178 freeiy supported in suitable bearings of the side frames 124.

Also secured to the end of shaft 178 is a clutch 180 (Figs: l, 5 and 7') similar irr construction to that described" in U. S. Patent 2,124,219 to-H. H. Wheeler dated luly 19, 1938. A gear 182 which is part of this clutch drives the gear 184 which is secured to the end of shaft 122 on which is mounted the pulley which drives belt 116.

With reference to Figs. 8 and 9, as the belt 116 feeds the layer of tobacco underneath the guide fingers 138, the end of the layer of tobacco presses against and moves forward a plurality of measuring fingersV v186 which are. prov4 truding through slots 188 inl a plate 190 over which the layer of tobacco moves. Said pl-ate'is fastened toi end frame 128 and rests on two cross bars 192 and 194 also secured to frame 128. The measuring fingers' 186 are integral with plate196' (Fig. 5 The movement of this plate, in combination with other mechanisms provides a means to control the distance the layer of tobacco is fed forward. 4 4 l 2 I When' the measuring fingers travel a desiredrdistance, clutch disengagesshaft 178 from gear 182' and' the movement of belt 116 is arrested',thus` stopping the forv'va'rd movement ofthe l'ayer of tobacco'. This is aecomplished in the following manner: Y

Belt 116 st'arts to feedirthe tobacco forward when' the high spot of a cam 198 `(Figi. 6`) securedy to the shaft 1:78', contacts a cam roller 200 carried'lby an armV 202 which is freely mounted on a stud 2614 held in side frame 1'24. The other end of arm 202 carries a pin 206 which, when arm 202 is rotated counter-clockwise (Fig. 6), contacts the free ends of a pair of staggered pawls 208 and pivotsl them about stud 204 yso that these pawls are disengaged from a ratchet wheel 210'Which is also part of clutch 180. This disengagement allows shaft 178 to drive gear 182. Thus the belt is started moving'. A spring 212 ,isy provided to keep cam' roller 200' in contact with cani 198'.

Pawls 208 are kept in disengaged position by a'lateh member 214 (Figs. 5' and 6') which, under the influence of a spring 216, snaps up'y into the path of one end of said pawls. Latch member 214 is freely mounted on a shaft 224 and is arrestedwhenthe rear side face of said mem`- ber contacts' a pin 218. This position is" showni'yn Fig. 6'. Pin 218 also serves as a springpost for spring `216. Said pin is mounted in a' member 22o' (Fig. 5) which is ed-` justably secured to a 'sleeve 222 which is loosely mounted the shaftf224` freely supported in the ends of the bracket 226 fastened tu side trane 124. The other' end of Said sleeve has yaV` member' 228 fastened thereto in the other end of which is secured a pin 2.30, which extends into a hole 232, the' diameter ofwhich is larger than said pin.,A This hole is in an arm 234 secured to one end of shaft 224. d 2

The yrelative desinee df pinjzao te here 232 may be adjusted by af pair of screwsy 236 that hold pin 230 in position. Said screws are threaded' in arm 234. The functie-n ef this adjustment will be explained later. secured to the free of arrn 234 is a calibrated rod 238 on whicha iveigl`1t`240y is slidably mounted. The p'urpose of said weight will be explained later.

` `With reference to Figs'. 5 and 6, the ether `end f shaft 224 has secured to it an arm 242 which is pivotallyconnec'td to a link 244, the dp'p'o'siteend f which is ed nected to an arrnf246, loosely mounted on stud 248 held in Side frame 1.24. Arrd 246 is in turd pivfeny' eenne'cted by link 250 to an it-shaped member 252 upon which plate 196 is mounted. Also' pivotally secured to l-l-shaped member 252 is an arm 254 loosely mounted on a shaft 256 held in side frames 124.I The Vopposite' end of said arm carries a carri roller 258 engaging the cam track 260of a cani 262 secured to shaft 178. The cam 262 also has another cani track 264 engaged by a cam roller 266 on arm 246. y

As `the belt 11-6 moves the tobacco forward, the end of the tobacco beneath guidefingers 138 contacts the measuring fingers 186 of plate 196, which is connected by the linkage described to the arm 234 carrying Weight 240.- Thus, a certain amount of pressure is exerted against the tobacco as it is moved forward by belt 116. This, in combination with the pusher arms 118 forwarding the newly severed charge from platform 28, corrects any variation` that might have existed in the charges that are severed from the ribbon of tobacco T in cross feed channel C and assures uniformity.

Straight line motion is imparted to the measuring fin-` gers 186 by the arm 254 and cam track 260. As the tobacco pushes fingers 186 forward, arms 228 `and 234, sleeve 222, member 220 and latch 214 are made to pivot about shaft 224 by the action of links 244 and 250 and arms 242 and 246. When the tobacco has advanced a desired distance, latch 214 will lose contact with the pawls 288 which, under the influence of suitably mounted "springs 268, will engage ratchet wheel 210 and arrest its turning movement. This causes clutch 180 to disengage shaft178 from gear 182 thus `stopping belt 116 and the forward movement of the tobacco. A plurality `of staggered pawls greater than. that shown may be used to effect a quicker stopping of ratchet wheel to assure a more uniform Width each time tobacco is fed.

T he width of tobacco fed by belt 116 is adjusted in the following manner: The relative position of pin 230 to` hole 232 is changed by adjustment screws 236. This` changes the amount of rotation of shaft 224 necessary for latch 214 to release pawls 208. Thus the width of tobacco fed by belt 116 is varied. In case a setting is` desired beyond the range provided by this micrometer adjustment just described, a gross adjustment may be obtained by loosening member 220 and turning it on sleeve 222.

After the desired amount of tobacco has been fed by belt 116 and the movement ofsaid belt has been stopped,

the action of both cam tracks 260 and 264 of cam`262 and` the associated linkage described, cause plate 196 and the fingers 186 thereof to move down through slots 188 of plate 190 out of the path of the tobacco to a position such as that shown in Figs. l and l0. Continued rotation of cam 262 will return the plate 196 and the associated linkageto a position such as shown in Fig. 6. The return path of plate 196 is indicated by the dotted positions in Fig. l0.

After belt 116 stops feeding and while the fingers 186 are being lowered, a spring loaded plate or gripping member 272 is lowered and pinches the tobacco against plate 190 as shown in Fig. 9. The end of plate 272 is provided with slots 274 which straddle the guide ngers 138 as shown in Fig. 4. Said plate is loosely held between the bar 276 and a member 278. The former is separated from the latter by two spacers 280 (Figs. 4

and 9) which are slightly thicker than plate 272, These Also mounted on each arm `286 is a Z-shaped mem-' ber 290 which supports freely one end of a plunger 292,.

the other end of which is guided, through suitable holes in member 278, and rests against the top edge of plate 272.` Encircling a portion of each plunger 292, and supported between member 290 and a shoulder on said plunger, is a spring 294. Referring to Fig. 9 it will be seen that when shafts 288 move in the direction indicated by the arrow, the pressure exerted on plate 272 by plungers 292 is caused merely by springs 294 as seen in Fig. 4.v

. Secured to the bottom end of each shaft 288 is a member 296 through which passes a tie bar 298 (Figs. la and 3) on which is loosely mounted a U-shaped arm 300` 6 on a shaft 308 held in suitable brackets (not shown) secured to the main frame 54. Y

The predetermined width of tobacco which has `been fed by belt 116 past plate 272 for the distance established by measuring fingers 186 is now severed by reaper fingers 322. Reaper fingers 322 press down upon the tobacco, pierce it and rip' it against the pinching action` of plate 272. The motion of reaper fingers 322 is accomplished as follows:

As shown inFigs.` 1 and 2, bracket 312 secured to side frame 124` and bracket 314 secured to a portion of the machine not shown, support between them a horizontal shaft 310. Slidably supported on said shaft is a long sleeve-like reciprocative carriage 316 having two pairs of integral lugs protruding from its upper portion. Guided between these lugs and pivotally supported by a pin 317 in one pair of said lugs is an arm. 31S to which is fastened, `at right angles, a bar 320 which carries a plurality of reaper fingers 322 which are spaced to pass` between the guide rails `138 and the slots 188 of plate 190, as seen in Fig. 2. i

Also secured to bar 320 is a lug 324 carrying a roller 326 which, as seen in Fig. 9, is engaged by a guide rail 328, one end of which is pivoted to bracket 314, while the other end is freely supported by a pin 330 held in one of the shafts 288, as seen in Fig. 1. When the rotation of cam lowers shafts 288, the plate 272 pinches the tobacco against plate 190. Then, as shafts 288 continue their downward movement, guide rail 328 is lowered and arm 318 pivots about pin 317 under the infiuence of a compression spring 332 (Figs. l and 1l) mounted in the ends of said arm and carriage 316. Thus, the ends of the reaper fingers 322 carried by bar 320 come in contact with' the tobacco and, as the shafts 288` complete their downward movement, the head end of a short rod 334 (Figs. l and 9) contacts bar 320 and forces bar 320 with the reaper fingers throughthe tobacco. i

Rod 334 is adjustably secured to a small plate `336 which is fastened to one of the arms 286, asseen in Figs. 1 and 2. Arm 318 is provided with an adjustment screw 337 (Figs. l and 11) the purpose of which is to act as a stop and prevent the reaper fingers 322 from digging into plate 190. The severed charge B is now moved forward by the reaper fingers to a conventional type of rollingtable as shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12.

With reference to Figs. la and 3, horizontal reciprocating movement of the reaper fingers is accomplished by the rotation of cam 144 that has a cam track 338 (Fig. la) which is engaged by a roller 340 `carried by one end of the bell crank lever 342, the other end of which is pivoted to a connecting rod 344, the other end of which is pivoted to an arm 346 of a member 348i (Fig. 3) loosely supported by shaft 170. Integral with member 348 is an L-shaped arm 350 to which is secured one end of an arm 352 which also is pivotally mounted on shaft 170. The other end of arm 352 is pivoted to a link 354, the other end of which is connected to carriage 316 as seen in Figs. 1 and 2. To prevent anyrotational movement of said carriage on shaft 310, said carriage is provided with an integral leg carrying a roller 356 (Figs. 1 and 7) which engages the track of a U- shaped cam piece 358 fastened to side frame 124.

After-the tobacco has been pierced by the reaperfingers 322, the forward motion of the same tears that p'or-4 tion of the tobacco not pierced by the fingers. This tearing action results `in the desired irregular serration of` In the meantime, a charge ejector 364, (Figs. l, 2 and 11) has reached the position as shown in Fig. ll'. Said ejector consists, ofal finger-like ejector platel 366 attached tof an arm 3i68'-(Figs; 1i and? 2). secured to a vertical reciproeative shaft 370', which is actuated in proper time relation by a suitableA cam:y and linkage (not shown). A guide rail 372, mounted in a suitable manner, engaging ay yslot in arm? 368' prevents any rotation of the ejector.

Referring to' Fi-g's. 11', 12 and 13; it will be seen that asl the chargev B is moved onto the rolling apron 362 the reaper fingers 322 internger with those of the ejector plate? 366. Continuedl movement of the reaper ingers advances the` charge B across the apron 362 untilsaidcharge is in= a position where the belt overlies a plat'- form- 3.74. By this time; the ejector has reached the po- Vsi'tiori as shown' in Fig. 12 and is. pressing against the charge B. Then the plat-form 374 and the charge ejector 364; are lowered together withl the charge and the apron 362 to a' position where the charge is substantially aligned with the rolling table 376 of the bunch roll-ingy mechanism R of the cigar machine. This position is shown by dotted outline in Fig. 12. The ends 378 of the fingers of plate 366 are bentY at right` angles so that when said plate descends the apron will be stretched smoothly over platform 374 and a loop, such as thatcustomarily used for rolling` cigars, will be formed at one side thereof.

1 While the aforementioned action takes place, shafts 288 move in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1 andY the guide rail 328 is raised to a position such as shown in Fig.' 9v. The carriage 316l with. the reaper fingers then returns to a position such as shown in Fig. 9 by the continued' rotation of closed cam track 338 of cam 144. The roller 326 riding on guide rail 328 raises the reaper fingers 322 so that they will not catch on the apron 362 or the rider plate 360 during their return stroke. While the reaper fingers are returning, charge' ejector 364 ascends, and the rider plate 360 turns over 180 in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig'. 12 and rests' on top of the charge B. Said rider plate is turned by meansy of the vertical reciprocative gear ra'ck 380 (Figs. 1 and 2) actingupon a gear 382 on a shaft 384 (Figs. 1 and 2). Saidrackis actuated by means of a suitable cam and linkage (not shown).

With reference to Fig. 2, a male member 385 of a sliding coupling is secured to the end of shaft 384 and engages a female member 394 prior tok the turning' of rider plate 360. Said female member is secured to one end of an oscillatory horizontal shaft 390 which is freely support'edfin suitable bearings of the vertical arms of a reciprocating U-shaped carriage 392. Also secured to shaft 390 are two lugs 391 upon which is mounted the rider plate 360. Positioned between said lugs and loosely mounted on shaft 390 is the rolling pin 386. The 180 rotation' of iider plate 360 by coupling 385, 394 is more fully described in Wheeler Patent 2,311,011 dated Fe'bru ary 16", 1943.`

After rider' plate 360 turns over 180 by the means just described, carriage 392 carrying rolling pin 386 advances in the direction of the rolling table 376 and the female member 394 isl uncouple'd from male member 385. As carriage' 392 continues its forward motion, a cigar bunch is rolled. The bunch isdepositedv in a suitable transfer 388 which transfers saidbunch to a Wrapping device not shown.

An integral arm of female member 394 carries a roller 396 (Figs. l and 2) which, when the rider plate 360 turns 180 contacts a stationary cam plate 398. As said rider plate advanees, roller 396 rides along the top of said earn plate until it contacts a pivotally mounted cam piece 400 which, under the influence of a suitably mounted spring, is held in Contact with the end. of cam plate 398. Continued forward movement, in combination with the two mentioned cams'y causes the rider plate to turn back 180 to: its original position. This position is* maintained while the rider plate completes its travel by a pin 402 held in arml 3,94.` Saidv pinV rides along the top of a guide rail 404. On the return stroke,I roller 396l rides along the bottom of camv plate 398 assuring recoupling of female member 3945 and` male member 385 when the rider plate reaches its backmost position.

After the4 pusher arms 118 have cleared platform 28,` it i's raised by the action of cam 90 and a spring 270 (Fig. 6). suitably mounted around shaft 88. When said platform reaches its uppermost position, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the clamp fingers 72 are raised due to the action of rollers 6,4 and 82 and cam piecey 66 Where pivotal movement is,` stoppedby a pin 67 (Fig. 1) held in member 70. The pusher arms 118 themselves are returned to their original position as shown in Fig. l by the action of cam 144 and the linkage previously described.

In case there is noty enough tobacco underneath guide fingers 138, the stream of tobacco T in the cross feed channel C is not advanced onto platform 28 until a sufficient amount of tobacco has been fed by belt 116.V This is accomplished as follows:

Referring to Fig. 7, the stream of tobacco T in cross feed channel C is fed intermittently onto platform 28 by a mechanism such as that disclosed and described in Patent 2,470,766. An oscillatory arm 406 loosely mounted on the shaft 408 is pivotally secured to a connecting rod 410 which is operated by a means shown and described in the above patent. Said arm carries a pair of pawl's 412 which engage a ratchet wheel 414 mounted on shaft 408 to which is also secured the drum 24 which drives the bottom belt 20. Also mounted on said shaft are a pair of bevel gears which mesh with bevel gears Lsecured to shafts 416 to which are secured pulleys 26 which drivel the side belts 22. Thus the entire cross feed is driven by means of the common shaft 408. As shown in Fig. 7, the arm 406 has completed a feeding stroke. The connecting rod 410 will now return said arm to its starting position. As it does so, a cam disengages pawls 412 from ratchet Wheel 4.14 and they are held in disengaged position by a locking mechanism pivotally mounted on arm 406.

If the tobacco under the guide fingers 138 was insutiicient during the previous feeding movement of belt 116, then, when arm 406 reaches its starting position, thepawl locking mechanism on arm 406 will strike'the head of a release screw 418 (Fig. 7) and release the pawls 412 so that they will re-engage ratchet wheel 414 and vfeeding of the stream of tobacco T will take place when arm 406 is again actuated. if, however, there was sufiicient tobacco under guide fingers 138, pawls 412 would not be released and no feeding of the tobacco in the cross feed will occur on the .next stroke cf connecting rod 410.

As seen in Figs. 5 and 14, a bracket 420 is secured'to side frame 124 and holds a stud. 422 on which is loosely mounted a double armed lever 424. One arm 426 of said lever carries in its free end a screw 428 which is in the path of a small angle plate 430 secured to member 156. The other arm 432 of lever 424 is positioned above one end of an arm 434, the other end of which is secured tov a shaft 436 (Fig. 7), to which is also secured to a lock arm 438 which engages a lock plate 440 fastened to a control member 442 loosely mounted on a stud 444. Mcmber 442 is provided with a stop lug 446, and a resetter finger 448 and a release screw 418.

If tobacco is needed, the pusher arm 118 wiil travel a distance suthcient to pivot member 136 enough so that the angle plate 430 attached thereto will contact screwsl 428 in arm of level- 424. This causes arm 432 of said lever to depress arm 434, which is then locked in a depressed f position by a latch 450 (Fig. 14) which is pivotally suspended by a pin 452 held in a bracket 454 fastened to bracket 126. The downward movement of arm 434 disengages lock arm 438 (Fig. 7) from lockr plate 440 securedA to control member 442.

As seen in Fig. 7, aset screw 436 carried in the free end of an arm 458 projecting from the hub of arm 406 9 is in contact with the resetter finger 448 of control member 442. When arm 406 starts its return stroke, set screw 456 will move out of contact with resetter nger 448 and allow member 442, now unlocked, to swing on stud 444 due to the influence of a suitably mounted spring. This movement is limited by stop lug 446 striking stop pin 460. The release screw 41S is now in the path of the pawl locking mechanism on arm 406. Thus, when the latter returns to its starting position, said locking mechanism will be disengaged by striking release screw 418, thereby allowing pawls 412 to engage ratchet wheel 414 so that feeding will occur on the next stroke.

In case there is sufficient tobacco beneath guide fingers 138, the pusher arms 118 will not travel far enough to unlock control member 442 by the means just described. Therefore, release screw 418 will remain out of the path of the pawl locking mechanism on arm 406. Hence, when said arm returns to its starting position, pawls 412 will not be unlocked and on the next stroke of connecting rod 410 no feeding of the tobacco stream T will occur.

Control member 442 must be reset to` a `locked position after a feeding cycle. This is accomplished by a cam 462 (Fig. 14) secured to shaft 178. Said cam contacts an extended portion of latch 450 whereupon arm 434 is released and raised by a suitable tension spring 464 (Fig. 7) until its movement is arrested when lock arm 438 strikes the top of lock plate 440.` When arm 458 makes its next forward stroke, the set screw 456 carried by said arm will contact resetter linger 448 and permit lock arm 438 to engage lock plate 440 to hold control member 442 in locked position. The engaging movement of arm 438, caused by spring 464, is arrested when arm 434 strikes `a stop pin 466 suitably mounted.

Although we have described our invention in detail and therefore utilize certain specific terms and language herein, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative rather than restrictive and that the same may be combined with various` other steps anddetails.` Changes and modifications may be resorted to without limitation, except as imposed by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. The combination of a cross feed conveyor operatively mounted to advance a predetermined charge` bunch length; a cutting element operatively mounted to sever said predetermined length; a secondary conveyor belt; an elevator platform to transport saidpredetermined lengths to said secondary conveyor belt; spring-loaded pusher fingers mounted to pass across Said platform along said secondary conveyor `belt and compact said lengths in sidewise relationship on said secondary conveyor belt; stationary `guides horizontally mounted above said conveyor belt to co-act with said belt to form a channel wherein said charge lengths are further compressed sidewise to form a stream `of uniform density; drive mechanism` for said secondary conveyor belt; yielding measuring fingers contacting the forward edge of said stream of bunch charge lengths and cooperating with said drive mechanism of said secondary conveyor belt to arrest the motion of said belt when said bunch charge lengths have been advanced a predetermined distance; a gripping member; reaper lingers cooperating with said gripping member to sever by a ripping action bunch charge widths from said advancing stream to form bunch charges uniform as to length, width and density; and means including said reaper fingers to convey said bunch charge to rolling position on the rolling apron of a cigar machine.

2. The combination of a cross feed conveyor operatively mounted to advance a predetermined charge bunch length; a cutting element operatively mounted to sever said predetermined length; drive mechanism for said belt; a secondary conveyor belt; an eelvator platform to transport said predetermined lengths to said secondary conveyor belt; pusher fingers mounted to pass across said platform and along said secondary conveyor belt and compact said lengths in sidewise relationship `on said secondary conveyor belt; stationary guides horizontally mounted above said conveyor belt to coi-act with said belt to form a channel wherein said charge lengths are further compressed sidewise to form a stream of uniform density; a drive mechanism for said secondary conveyor belt; yielding measuring lingers contacting the forward edge of said stream of bunch charge lengths and cooperating with said drive mechanism of said secondary conveyor belt to arrest the motion of said belt when said bunch charge lengths have been advanced a predetermined distance; a gripping member; reaper lingers cooperating with said gripping member to sever by a ripping action bunch charge widths from said advancing stream to form bunch charges uniform as to length, width and density; and means including said reaper fingers, and a rider plate to convey said bunch charge to rolling position on the rolling apron of a cigar machine.

3. In a bunch forming mechanism of a cigar machine having means for severing predetermined charge bunch lengths, a conveyor belt, stationary guides mounted above said conveyor belt, spring loaded pusher lingers for moving the severed bunch lengths sidewise on and along said conveyor belt between said belt and said stationary guides, and stop members positioned in the path of movement of said bunch lengths on said conveyor so that said conveyor belt in cooperation with said pusher fingers compacts a plurality of said bunch lengths sidewise to form a thin uniformly compacted stream having the width of a bunch length.

4. In a long filler cigar machine having a rolling apron, the combination with an intermittent horizontal cross feed conveyor to advance a tobacco stream a predetermined length; a cutting element to sever said length from the stream; a secondary conveyor belt; an elevator operatively `mounted to receive said length and lower it adjacent said secondary conveyor belt; a plurality of pusher fingers adapted to contact and directly push Said length sidewise from said elevator onto and along with said conveyor belt; a plurality of horizontal rails mounted above said belt to form a confined channel between said belt and said rails wherein said belt and said pusher lingers compacts said lengths sidewise with the previously severed lengths; a plurality of yieldable measuring fingers at the terminal end of said channel to restrain the motion imparted to said lengths by said belt; a plate mounted for substantially vertical movement a predetermined distance before said restraining lingers to pinch down and hold said sidewise compacted lengths; a plurality of reaper lingers movably mounted to pierce said stream of compacted lengths adjacent said plate, to tear from said held stream the predetermined width located between said measuring fingers and said plate, and to advance said predetermined width to the rolling apron of a cigar machine.

5. In a long filler cigar machine having a rolling apron, the combination with an intermittent horizontal cross feed conveyor to advance a tobacco stream a predetermined length; a cutting element to sever said length from the stream; a secondary conveyor belt; an elevator operatively mounted to receive said length and .lower it adjacent said secondary conveyor belt; a plurality of pusher lingers to push said length sidewise from said elevator onto said conveyor belt; a plurality of horizontal rails mounted above said belt to form a confined channel between said belt and said rails wherein said belt compacts said length sidewise with the previously severed lengths; a plurality of yieldable measuring lingers at the terminal end of said channel to restrain the motion iniparted to said lengths by said belt; a gripping member movably mounted a predetermined distance before said restraining fingers to pinch down and hold said sidewise compacted lengths; a plurality of reaper lingers movably mounted to pierce said stream of compacted lengths, to tear from said stream the predetermined width located between said measuring iingers and said gripping member; and means to advance said predetermined width to the 11 rolling` apron of a cigar machine, said means includingL said reaper fingers, a rider plate bridging the gap to said rolling apron to support the predetermined width and an ejector plate movably mounted to interfnger with said reaper lingers to strip the bunch therefrom.

6. In a long filler cigar machine, an intermittent cross feed conveyor to feed a thin stream of tobacco; a cutting element to sever predetermined bunch lengths from said cross feed conveyor; a secondary conveyor belt; an elevator to transport individual bunch lengths severed by said cutting element to said secondary conveyor; a plurality of gripping fingers operatively mounted on said elevator to engage said individual bunch lengths; a plurality of pusher fingers mounted to move acrossr said elevator beneath said gripping lingers and engage sidewise said bunch length to push it upon and along with said secondary conveyor belt and in edgewise relation with the previously severed bunch length; horizontal rails positioned above and parallel to said secondary conveyor belt whereby the action of said conveyor' belt may cornpact said predetermined lengths between said horizontal rails and said conveyor belt into a uniformly dense stream; a slotted horizontal platform at the end of said secondary conveyor belt to receive said stream; yieldable members protruding through the slots of said platform to engage the forward end of said stream and determine the extent said compacted lengths are advanced thereon; means to arrest the transport of said conveyor belt when said lengths have been advanced a predetermined distance; a member mounted to move down upon said stream to hold it by compression upon said slotted horizontal platform; a plurality of reaper fingers mounted to engage and rip from said stream a bunch charge of predetermined width by coaction with said compressing member; and a rider plate across which said bunch charge may be transported to the rolling apron of the cigar machine.

7. in a long filler cigar machine, an intermittent cross feed conveyor to feed a thin stream of tobacco; a cutting element to sever predetermined bunch lengths from said cross feed conveyor; a secondary conveyor belt; an elevator to transport individual bunch lengths severed by saidcutting element to said secondary conveyor; a plurality of gripping ngers operatively mounted on said elevator to engage said individual bunch lengths; a plurality of pusher fingers mounted to move across said l,

eevator beneath said gripping fingers and engage sidewisesaid bunch length to push it upon said secondary conveyor belt and in. edgewiserelation with the previously severed bunch length; horizontal rails positioned above and parallel to said secondary conveyor belt whereby the action of said conveyor belt may compact said predetermined lengths between said horizontal rails and said conveyor beit into a uniformly dense stream; a slotted horizontal platform at the end of said secondary conveyor belt t0 receive said stream; yieldable members through the slots of said platform to engage the forwardV end of said stream and determine the` extent said compacted lengths are advanced thereon; means to arrest the transport of said conveyor belt when said lengths have been advanced a predetermined distance; a member mounted to move down upon said stream to hold it by compression upon said slotted horizontal platform; a plurality of reaper fingers mounted to engage and rip from said stream a bunch charge of predetermined width by coaction with. said compressing member; a rider plate across which said bunch charge may be transported to the rolling apron of a cigar machine; and ai plurality of s ced ejector members mounted to descend betweenA said per fingers, to strip said bunch charge therefrom.

8. A bunch forming mechanism in a cigar machine having a cross feed conveyor and a binder applying apron; a cutting element to severv thin bunch length portions fed from said cross feedy conveyor;l a secondary conveyor; an elevator to lower said. thin bunch length portions to said secondary belt conveyor; a plurality of protruding yieldable pusher ngers to feed sidewise said bunch lengths' along said secondary belt conveyor; a plu"- rality of horizontal guide rails positioned above said secondary belt conveyor whereby said bunch length portions may be compacted sidewise into al stream; a plurality' of yieldably tensioned measuring members operatively mounted to engage the advancing. end of said stream whereby its advance is arrested at a predetermined point and its composite bunch lengths are compacted in a single integrated mass; a gripping member movably mounted above said stream to descend upon it and hold it firm when it has advanced against said yieldably tenioned members said predetermined distance; reaper fingers operativeiy mounted to pierce said stream near the point ofv compression by said gripping member and sever by a ripping action a predetermined bunch width from said stream, and a rider plate operatively mounted to bridge the gap to said rolling apron so that reaper fingers may slide said severed bunch width onto said apron.

9. In a long iiller cigar machine, having means for severingrthin bunch length portions, a conveyor belt for feeding sidewise said bunch length` portions; stationary rails mounted above and parallel to said conveyor to form a narrow channel therewith; pusher fingers cooperating with said belt for compacting severed bunch length portions sidewise on said belt Within said channel; yieldable measuring fingers at the end of the upper run of said belt against which said bunch length portions are compacted sidewise to form a thin uniform sheet having the width of a bunch length; a gripping member movably mounted in front of said measuring lingers to press down on said stream to hold it; and claws movably mounted to rip a bunch width from behind said gripping member While held by said gripping member.

l0. In a cigar machine, a cross feed channel including a horizontal belt and two side belts gearedl to said horizontal. belt; a drive for intermittently advancing said cross feed channel including a ratchet and pawl operatively connected to said horizontal belt; a cutting element to sever thin bunch length portions fed from said channel; a secondary horizontal conveyor belt; a platform to transport said severed portions from said cutting element to said secondary conveyor belt; yieldablel pusher fingers to slide said portions onto said conveyor belt in sidewise position to the direction of movement thereof; stationary rails mounted above and parallel to said secondary conveyor belt and forming a thin channel therewith; yieldably tensioned fingers at the lend of said thin channel mounted to yield a predetermined. distance and against which said portions may be. compacted in sidewise relation to. form substantially a uniformy laminated sheet of bunch length width; a gripping member movably mounted above said channel and anterior to said yieldable fingers to pinch down and hold saidy sheet when said yieldably tensioned fingers have movedthrough their predetermined distance; and a claw to rip a predetermined bunch portion from said iirmly held uniformly laminated sheet as it protrudes beyond said gripping. member.

ll. In a cigar machine having a binder applying apron, a bunch forming mechanism comprising a cross@ feed conveyor having thereon a thin layer of tobacco leaves; a. cutting element to sever bunch length portions fed by said conveyor; a secondary belt conveyor; horizontal guide rails positioned above said belt conveyor to substantially form a channel therewith; pusher fingers moving along said belt behind the severed bunch length portions for compacting sidewise the severed bunch length portions on said belt and beneath said guide rails. intova continuous stream; yieldably tensioned measuring fingersl positioned near the delivery endy of saidv secondary belt conveyor to engage said stream to permit said. compacted stream to advance a predetermined bunch width. distance; means mounted above, said secondary belt con.- veyor to engage and arrest said stream; and a plurality 13 of movable ripper ngers mounted to pierce said com pacted stream adjacent said means and while being held thereby and tear therefrom a predetermined bunch width charge and transport said charge to the apron of the cigar machine. 5

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 911,756 Proscott Feb. 9, 1909 lo 

